Stent and method for manufacturing thereof

ABSTRACT

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method and technique for manufacturing a stent is disclosed. The stent is a non-metallic stent having a furled small-diameter state and an expanded large-diameter state where the stent, in the furled small-diameter state, includes a plurality of central lobes arranged at spaced apart intervals and extending longitudinally defining a stent axis, the plurality of central lobes defining a cylindrical plane of the stent. The stent also includes at least one peripheral lobe formed on at least one of the plurality of central lobes, the peripheral lobe oriented along the cylindrical plane.

BACKGROUND

Stents are used for the treatment of various types of vascular conditions. A stent can be implanted within a vessel in a small configuration using a delivery catheter and then expanded to a larger size against the walls of the vessel.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present disclosure a stent and method and technique for manufacturing a stent is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the stent comprises a non-metallic stent having a furled small-diameter state and an expanded large-diameter state. The stent, in the furled small-diameter state, includes a plurality of central lobes arranged at spaced apart intervals and extending longitudinally defining a stent axis, where the plurality of central lobes define a cylindrical plane of the stent. The stent also includes at least one peripheral lobe formed on at least one of the plurality of central lobes where the peripheral lobe is oriented along the cylindrical plane of the stent.

According to another embodiment, the stent includes a first plurality of central lobes arranged at spaced apart intervals and extending longitudinally defining a stent axis, where the first plurality of central lobes is formed by an element extending in a coiled manner from a proximal end of the stent to a distal end of the stent. The stent also includes a second plurality of central lobes arranged at spaced apart intervals and extending longitudinally in the direction of the stent axis, where the second plurality of lobes is formed by the element returning from the distal end to the proximal end in a coiled manner. The stent further includes at least one peripheral lobe formed on at least one of the first plurality of central lobes and on at least one of the second plurality of central lobes, each peripheral lobe extending radially inward toward an internal area of the stent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present application, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a stent according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an end view of the stent illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an end view of another embodiment of a stent according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an end view of another embodiment of a stent according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of a stent according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of a stent according to the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an end view of the stent illustrated in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a stent 10 in accordance with the present disclosure. FIG. 1 illustrates stent 10 in a furled small-diameter state; it should be understood that stent 10 is expandable to a large-diameter state (e.g., by balloon catheter insertion and inflation/pressurization). Embodiments of stent 10 according to the present disclosure include an element 20 disposed in a coiled manner and extending in a longitudinal direction to define a longitudinal axis 22 of stent 10. Element 20 is coiled in the direction of axis 22 to form a number of central lobes 24 (e.g., each rotation of element 20 forming one lobe 24). In some embodiments, lobes 24 are equally spaced along the longitudinal direction of stent 10 or have a uniform coil pitch along stent 10 (e.g., a uniform distance between each coil). However, it should be understood that the coil pitch may vary along one or more portions of stent 10.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, stent 10 also includes peripheral lobes 28 formed on one or more central lobes 24. Lobes 28 are formed by additional coils of element 20 during a coil rotation of a particular lobe 24. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, each central lobe 24 includes three peripheral lobes 28. However, it should be understood that the quantity of peripheral lobes 28 formed along central lobes 24 may vary (e.g., a greater of fewer quantity). Further, in FIG. 1, each central lobe 24 includes peripheral lobes 28. However, it should be understood that some central lobes 24 may be devoid of a peripheral lobe 28, or some central lobes 24 may include a greater or fewer quantity of peripheral lobes 28 than other central lobes 24.

In some embodiments, stent 10 comprises longitudinal support rods 30 extending in the axial direction of stent 10. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, stent 10 comprises three support rods 30; however, it should be understood that stent 10 may include a greater or fewer quantity of support rods 30. In some embodiments, rods 30 may be located at substantially equal distances from each other as measured about a circumference or cylindrical plane formed by lobes 24. However, it should also be understood that rods 30 may be located at unequal distances relative to each other.

In some embodiments, element 20 and/or rods 30 may comprise a non-metallic material, such as a polymer fiber or multiple polymer fibers. For example, in some embodiments, element 20 and/or rods 30 may be formed from Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA). However, it should be understood that other materials may be used to form element 20 and/or rods 30. Rods 30 may be attached or otherwise secured to lobes 24 using a variety of different methods or materials. For example, in some embodiments, rods 30 may be attached to lobes 24 using a PLLA material (e.g., PLLA dissolved in chloroform) such that the PLLA mixture is used to glue or weld rods 30 to lobes 24. In some embodiments, rods 30 may be ultrasonically welded to lobes 24. Rods 30 may be attached or otherwise secured to each successive lobe 24 along the longitudinal length of stent 10 or may be intermittently attached to lobes 24 as rod 30 extends along stent 10 (e.g., every other lobe 24, every third lobe 24, or at other uniform or non-uniform spacing intervals). Further, in some embodiments, rods 30 may be attached and/or otherwise secured to external sides of lobes 24; however, it should be understood that rods 30 may be attached and/or otherwise secured to internal sides of lobes 24. For example, in some embodiments, rods 30 may be woven or intermittently transition from an external location to an internal location of stent 10 relative to lobes 24 as rods 30 extend along the longitudinal length of stent 10. For example, and not by way of limitation, rod 30 may be secured to stent 10 by attaching rod 30 to an exterior surface of a first and second lobe 24, to an interior surface of the third lobe 24, to the exterior surface of the fourth and fifth lobes, etc. Thus, rods 30 may weave inwardly and outwardly between interior and exterior areas of stent as rods 30 extend in the longitudinal direction according to a uniform or non-uniform pattern.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, stent 10 is formed as a dual opposing helical stent 10 having two helices revolving in non-parallel configurations. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, stent 10 is formed by member 20 having an end located and/or initiating at proximal end 40 of stent 10 and forming successive coils (forming lobes 24 and lobes 28) as member 20 advances in the axial direction 41 toward a distal end 42 of stent 10. At distal end 42 of stent, member 20 returns and/or is coiled in a direction 43 toward proximal end 40 forming successive coils (forming lobes 24 and lobes 28) as member 20 advances in the axial direction 43 toward proximal end 40. In FIG. 1, member 20 is wound in the same rotational direction (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise) for forming coils in the directions 41 and 43 (e.g., clockwise winding in the direction 41, followed by clockwise winding in the direction 43 from the perspective of proximal end 40) to form an opposing winding pattern. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, member 20 comprises a continuous element such that coils in both directions 41 and 43 are formed from a continuous member 20. However, it should be understood that in some embodiments, the coils formed in direction 41 may be formed from one or members 20, where the coils formed in direction 43 may be formed by one or more different members 20.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an end view of stent 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, stent 10 comprises three rods 30 ₁₋₃ located at an equal spacing relative to each other. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, rod 30 ₁ is attached to an interior surface of lobe 24. Further, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, peripheral coils 28 extend radially inward and are located at equal circumferential spacing relative to each other. Further, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, peripheral lobes 28 formed as member 20 is coiled in opposing directions along stent 10 (e.g., extending from end 40 to end 42, then from end 42 to end 40) are located at substantially the same positions.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an end view of another embodiment of stent 10. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, stent 10 comprises rods 30 ₄₋₉ attached to exterior sides of lobes 24. In FIG. 4, some of rods 30 ₄₋₉ are located at unequal distances relative to each other as measured along the cylindrical plane formed by lobes 24. For example, in FIG. 3, a set of rods 30 ₄, 30 ₆ and 30 ₈ are located substantially equidistant from each other as measured along the cylindrical plane of stent 10, and rods 30 ₅, 30 ₇ and 30 ₉ are located substantially equidistant from each other as measured along the cylindrical plane of stent 10. However, each set of rods 30 are offset slightly from each other such that the distance between rods 30 ₄ and 30 ₅, for example, is less than the distance between rods 30 ₄ and 30 ₉. Thus, it should be understood that the spacing of rods 30 on stent may vary.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an end view of another embodiment of stent 10. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, peripheral lobes 28 formed while member 20 is coiled in direction 41 are positioned at different locations than lobes 28 formed as member 20 is coiled in the direction 43. For example, referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, as member 20 is coiled in direction 41, peripheral lobes 28 are formed at the positions indicated in FIG. 4 by 28 ₁-28 ₃. As member 20 is coiled in the direction 43 from end 42 toward end 40, peripheral lobes 28 are formed at the positions indicated in FIG. 4 by 28 ₄-28 ₆. Thus, in some embodiments, lobes 28 formed as member 20 is coiled in direction 41 may be offset from the positions of lobes 28 formed as member 20 is coiled in direction 43. In FIG. 4, lobes 28 are illustrated having an equal spacing therebetween (e.g., corresponding to each coil direction). However, it should be understood that the spacing between lobes 28 may vary (e.g., for each individual lobe 28 and/or between coil directions 41 or 43).

In some embodiments, stent 10 is formed on a mandrel or other type of coil or winding tool to facilitate coiling of member 20 to form lobes 24 and 28 and/or to facilitate attachment of rods 30. In some embodiments, while stent 10 is located on such tool or mandrel, stent 10 is annealed to enable shape retention of stent as well as to align and/or otherwise form polymer chain orientation characteristics. For example, in a PLLA application, stent 10 may be annealed at a temperature slightly above a glass transition temperature for a desired time period (e.g., 62° Celsius to 90° Celsius for approximately twenty-five minutes). Stent 10 may then be allowed to cool to room temperature for some period of time (e.g., eighteen hours). However, it should be understood that the annealing process may be varied, especially for different types of stent materials.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of stent 10. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, stent 10 comprises lobes 24, lobes 28 and rods 30. In FIG. 5, stent 10 is formed as a counter coil helical stent 10 having two helices revolving in non-parallel configurations. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, stent 10 is formed by member 20 having an end located and/or initiating at proximal end 40 of stent 10 and forming successive coils (forming lobes 24 and lobes 28) as member 20 advances in direction 41 toward distal end 42 of stent 10. Another member 20 is coiled in direction 41 from proximal end 40 to distal end 42 forming successive coils (forming lobes 24 and lobes 28) as member 20 advances in the direction 41 toward distal end 42. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, member 20 is coiled or wound in one rotational direction for forming one set of coils as member 20 is moved in direction 41 and is coiled or wound in an opposite rotational direction for forming another set of coils as member 20 is moved in direction 41 toward end 42 to form an opposing winding pattern. For example, in some embodiments, the coils formed as member 20 is moved in direction 41 for one set of coils result from winding member 20 in the direction indicated by 50 (e.g., clockwise). The other set of coils formed as member 20 is moved in direction 41 result from winding member 20 in the direction indicated by 52 (e.g., counterclockwise). As described above in connection with FIGS. 1-4, the spacing, quantity and locations of lobes 28 and/or rods 30 may vary.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of stent 10. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, stent 10 comprises lobes 24, lobes 28 and rods 30. In FIG. 6, lobes 28 are formed to lie substantially in the cylindrical plane formed by lobes 24. For example, FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an end view of stent 10 illustrated in FIG. 6. As illustrated in FIG. 7, peripheral lobes 28 are formed to lie and/or reside substantially in the cylindrical plane formed by lobes 24. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, stent 10 includes three lobes 28 per turn or coil (e.g., per lobe 24). However, the quantity and/or spacing of lobes 28 within a particular lobe 24 may vary. Further, the quantity, spacing and/or place of attachment of rods 30 (e.g., interior surface or exterior surface of lobes 24) may vary. As described above, stent 10 may be annealed to secure and/or otherwise maintain the positioning of lobes 28 substantially within the cylindrical plane of stent 10, thereby reducing the likelihood that lobes 28 would interfere and/or obstruct the insertion of a delivery catheter into the interior area of stent 10.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, stent 10 also comprises a bifurcated area or portion 60. For example, in some embodiments, stent 10 may be formed such that the axial pitch between successive coils in a medial portion of stent 10 is increased, thereby resulting in a location where another stent may be attached to and/or inserted through a wall of stent 10. For example, in some embodiments, the bifurcated portion 60 is formed such that the axial pitch between successive coils is large enough to accommodate a branch stent attachment to stent 10 and/or insertion of another stent through portion 60 (e.g., into a branching vessel). The medial location of portion 60 along stent 10 may vary (e.g., closer to end 40, closer to end 42, or anywhere inbetween). It should also be understood that bifurcated portion 60 may be included in the embodiments of stent 10 illustrated and described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 5.

In some embodiments, peripheral lobes 28 are formed having a generally circular form. However, it should be understood that the shape of lobes 28 may vary (e.g., elliptical, rhomboidal, or other non-circular shape). Further, the size of lobes 24 and/or lobes 28 may vary.

In some embodiments, a radio-opaque material may be used in stent 10 to enable x-ray and/or fluoroscopic identification of stent 10 during delivery or deployment. For example, in some embodiments, barium sulfate, water-soluble iodine and/or other materials may be laced or loaded into the polymer material used to form member 10 and/or rods 30. In some embodiments, a radio-opaque material may be used in combination with a PLLA material (e.g., PLLA dissolved in chloroform) such that the PLLA mixture having a radio-opaque material loaded therein 70 (FIG. 2) is used to glue or weld rods 30 to lobes 24, thereby providing fluoroscopic visibility of stent 10. In some embodiments, a radio-opaque material may be attached to stent, such as securing a radio-opaque metal (e.g., platinum) to rod(s) 30 and/or member 10. The radio-opaque material may be attached using a PLLA material or other type of attachment mechanism. Further, in some embodiments, a radio-opaque sheath may be used with stent 10. For example, in some embodiments, a film comprised of a PLLA material loaded with a radio-opaque material is wrapped partially or entirely around stent 10 to enable x-ray and/or fluoroscopic identification of stent 10 during delivery or deployment.

Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a flexible, expandable stent that enables increased ease and flexibility of delivery and expansion. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a stent with excellent mechanical properties while providing plastic deformation.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A non-metallic stent having a furled small-diameter state and an expanded large diameter state, the stent comprising, in the furled small-diameter state: a first plurality of central lobes arranged at spaced apart intervals and extending longitudinally defining a stent axis, the first plurality of central lobes extending in a coiled manner from a proximal end of the stent to a distal end of the stent; a second plurality of central lobes arranged at spaced apart intervals and extending longitudinally in the direction of the stent axis, the second plurality of lobes extending from the distal end to the proximal end in a coiled manner, wherein the first plurality of central lobes are formed having a clockwise rotational winding direction from the proximal end to the distal end, and wherein the second plurality of central lobes are formed having a counterclockwise rotational winding direction from the proximal end to the distal end; and at least one peripheral lobe formed on at least one of the first plurality of central lobes and on at least one of the second plurality of central lobes, each peripheral lobe extending radially inward toward an internal area of the stent, wherein each lobe of the first plurality of central lobes, the second plurality of central lobes and the at least one peripheral lobe is formed by a coiled rotation of an element.
 2. The stent of claim 1, further comprising at least one longitudinal rod attached to one or more sides of the first plurality of central lobes and second plurality of central lobes.
 3. The stent of claim 2, wherein the at least one rod is attached to one or more internal sides of the first plurality of central lobes and second plurality of central lobes.
 4. The stent of claim 2, wherein the at least one rod is attached with a radio-opaque agent.
 5. The stent of claim 2, wherein the at least one rod is formed from a fiber loaded with a radio-opaque agent.
 6. The stent of claim 1, wherein the element comprises a Poly-L-Lactic Acid polymer fiber.
 7. The stent of claim 1, wherein the at least one peripheral lobe comprises a plurality of peripheral lobes disposed at unequal spacing about at least one of the first plurality of central lobes.
 8. The stent of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of longitudinal rods attached to one or more sides of the first plurality of central lobes and second plurality of central lobes, the longitudinal rods disposed at an unequal spacing about the first plurality and second plurality of central lobes.
 9. The stent of claim 1, wherein the element comprises a polymer fiber loaded with a radio-opaque agent.
 10. The stent of claim 1, wherein the first and second plurality of central lobes are formed having a first portion with a substantially uniform axial coil pitch, a second portion with a substantially uniform axial coil pitch, and a medial portion having a gap between successive central lobes greater than the axial coil pitch of the first and second portions.
 11. A non-metallic stent having a furled small-diameter state and an expanded large diameter state, the stent comprising, in the furled small-diameter state: an element forming a first plurality of spaced apart central lobes as the element extends from a proximal end of the stent to a distal end of the stent, each of the first plurality of central lobes formed by a coiled rotation of the element; a second plurality of spaced apart central lobes formed by the element as the element returns from the distal end to the proximal end, each of the second plurality of central lobes formed by a coiled rotation of the element, wherein the first plurality of central lobes are formed in a non-parallel winding configuration relative to the second plurality of central lobes; and at least one peripheral lobe formed on at least one of the first plurality of central lobes and on at least one of the second plurality of central lobes.
 12. The stent of claim 11, wherein the at least one peripheral lobe extends radially inward toward an internal area of the stent.
 13. The stent of claim 11, further comprising at least one longitudinal rod attached to one or more sides of the first plurality of central lobes and second plurality of central lobes.
 14. A non-metallic stent having a furled small-diameter state and an expanded large diameter state, the stent comprising, in the furled small-diameter state: a first plurality of central lobes arranged at spaced apart intervals and extending longitudinally defining a stent axis; a second plurality of central lobes arranged at spaced apart intervals and extending longitudinally along the stent axis; and at least one peripheral lobe formed on at least one of the first plurality of central lobes and on at least one of the second plurality of central lobes, each lobe of the first plurality of central lobes, the second plurality of central lobes, and the at least one peripheral lobe formed by a coiled rotation of an element; and wherein the first plurality of central lobes are formed longitudinally in a first direction along said stent axis in a rotational winding direction and the second plurality of central lobes are formed longitudinally in a second direction along said stent axis in the rotational winding direction to form respective first and second helices having an opposing winding pattern along the stent axis.
 15. The stent of claim 14, further comprising at least one longitudinal rod attached to one or more sides of the first plurality of central lobes and second plurality of central lobes.
 16. The stent of claim 15, wherein the at least one rod is attached to one or more internal sides of the first plurality of central lobes and second plurality of central lobes. 